Po
Polyethylene
Polyethylene
A synthetic wax that thickens balms and sticks — its micro-bead forms are phased out of rinse-off products in many markets.
What it does
Polyethylene is a synthetic wax-like polymer. It thickens and gives body to balms and sticks, helps stabilize formulas, and as fine beads can add a smooth, gliding feel. It is a structuring and texture ingredient rather than an active. Note: micro-bead forms have been phased out of rinse-off products in many markets.
The evidence, graded
expert consensusUS safety reviewers (2020) assessed a group of polyenes, polyethylene among them, which products use mainly to form a film or thicken oils. In a patch test on 201 people, a product with 13% polyethylene beads caused no irritation, and only a slight reaction in one person. They judged it safe as used.Burnett 2020 · International Journal of Toxicology ↗
Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.
Browse all 1238 ingredients — grouped by what they do, each with whatever evidence we can cite.
This page is public so a shared ingredient card always has its sources behind it — and so you can check them without an account.
Want more like this?
Every evidence-based flag cites its source, Drop tells you when your routine is complete, and it helps you simplify — instead of selling you more. The app launches on iOS and Android in October 2026. Rate my routine works today at /rate — no sign-in.